Press Releases

Sanderstead retain 100 percent record

Recording their third win of the season in South League Surrey Division 2, Sanderstead 1st XI saw off Richmond 3s on Saturday 17 October.  The 3-0 home victory cemented the Millers' place at the top of the table, ahead of their clash with second-placed Surrey Old Boys next weekend (Saturday 24 October).

Only minutes into the game, striker Mark Hunnisett collected a pass and turned sharply to shoot low past the Richmond goalkeeper Mike Green.  This early advantage was consolidated before half time by Denzil Dolley's sweet reverse stick strike, which he buried while the visiting defence dithered after bickering with the officials.

At 2-0 the hosts seemed indomitable, and several more chances fell their way.  Only Green in the Richmond goal stood between Sanderstead and a much higher tally.  On the occasions when the Millers crafted suitable openings, they lacked the final touch.  Dolley in particular proved to be a key playmaker, twice setting up Richard Bruce for back-post goals, but the latter failed to convert.

If they were hoping to capitalise at set pieces, Sanderstead would have been disappointed at a lack of return.  Again, Green is to be credited for his performance, saving shot after shot.  Emit Raja was thwarted, seeing his drag flicks stopped by Green, and Martyn Avery had a number of clean strikes cleared to safety.

Once they were two goals down, Richmond offered little in the way of a challenge to Sanderstead.  Solid work in defence and a skilful midfield helped their cause, but they lacked the organisation and fitness of their opponents and were duly outplayed.

Making amends for his earlier misses, Bruce made the scoresheet late in the second half.  He picked up a loose ball and found a way past Richmond's Green from ten yards to put the result beyond doubt.

Captain Avery said, "It is a measure of the squad's ability that we have notched up another clean sheet and another win while still not at our best and without scoring from a single short corner.  Saturday's meeting with Surrey Old Boys will no doubt be a test of our credentials, and we are looking forward to it."

On a winning weekend for the Millers, the 2nd XI triumphed 2-0 over Camberley, with goals from Paul Whitehead and Dominic Knolles, and the 3s ran out 3-1 winners against Merton.  Only the 4th team failed to win, letting an early lead slip as they went down 6-4 at Leatherhead.